10 superfoods for super health

Eating healthy is important because what we eat impacts our bodies. Your diet should comprise of nutrient-rich food that have ‘superpowers’. These super foods purify your blood, boost your metabolism, make you age slower, make your bones stronger and provide unlimited benefits.

Eating healthy is important because what we eat impacts our bodies. Your diet should comprise of nutrient-rich food that have ‘superpowers’. These super foods purify your blood, boost your metabolism, make you age slower, make your bones stronger and provide unlimited benefits.

Flaxseeds – Flaxseeds are packed with fibre and are best eaten when sprinkled over salads, fish, meat or as a snack. A single teaspoon has 2.3 grams of fibre and also contains essential fatty acid, omega 3 fats and antioxidants that reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer and Type 2 diabetes.

Beans – Beans soak up cholesterol and allow your body to dispose it off before it gets stuck to your arterial walls. They are a good plant-based source of iron. Kidney beans, black beans, peas, lentils, pinto beans and others are a good source of soluble fibre, so add them in as many dishes as you can. They are all good for your heart and boost brain power.

Berries – Blueberries are loaded with antioxidants while strawberries and raspberries are a good source of fibre. Consider mixing it with yogurt for an easy fruit salad. Blueberries prevent urinary tract infections and soften dry skin due to their high antioxidant properties. Berries also help in weight loss and contain ellagic acid, a compound with anti-cancer properties.

Yogurt – Just one serving of yogurt can almost fulfil your dairy requirement for the day. They provide your body with probiotics that help protect your gut and stomach from infections against harmful bacteria. Research shows that yogurt also prevents medical conditions like asthma and cancer due to the beneficial lactic acid within. Additionally, it is rich in calcium which helps ward off osteoporosis.

Oats – Oats lower cholesterol and blood pressure. They provide enough beta-gluten to lower blood cholesterol by about 5% and heart attacks by about 10%.

Eggs – Eggs provide the body with high quality protein. They fill you up and keep you from reaching for snacks throughout the day. Egg yolks contain lutein and zeacanthin – two antioxidants that keep your eyes healthy. They also provide almost every vitamin and nutrient there is. Just one egg will give you Vitamins D, A, K, B1, B2, B6, folate, calcium, zinc, phosphorous and essential fatty acids, plus protect your skin from UV damage. With all the nutrients eggs possess, it’s no wonder they make it to the list of superfoods!

Spinach – Spinach boasts of innumerable health benefits too! It is a great source of Vitamins A, C, K and also has a healthy dose of fibre, iron, potassium, folate, magnesium and vitamin E. It helps produce DBA and form healthy cells, making it especially important for expecting mothers. Eat it raw, in salads or cook some alongside a chicken breast. You can even blend it into a smoothie mixed with fruits to mask the taste.

MixedNuts – Snack on a handful of mixed nuts through the day. They are a great source of heart-healthy, unsaturated fats. Studies even suggest that those who eat nuts live two years longer than those who don’t. Walnuts and almonds are among the best options, but you should also remember peanuts, cashew nuts and pistachios.

Tomatoes – Red tomatoes are packed with an antioxidant called lycopene. Diets rich in it decrease your risk of bladder, lung, prostate, skin and stomach cancers as well as reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

TroutorSalmon – Just one filet alone has 22 grams of protein for a mere 160 calories. The proteins from fish are easily digestible and absorbed into the body, but they don’t have carcinogenic compounds like meat. They contain a healthy dose of omega-3 fatty acids which help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. But apart from protecting the heart, it also acts as sun protection, boosts brain power and has been linked to increased cognitive functions. Eating fish helps prevent eye degeneration and eye fatigue, boosts metabolism, increases insulin that lowers blood sugar and reduces inflammation of the arteries and digestive system, among other things.